"...The network had brought convenience, but it had also changed the way people interacted and transmitted information. The biggest difference was that in the past, when you needed to communicate with someone, you had to know who they were. But now things were completely different. When you communicated with others online, you had no way of knowing their true identity, or even whether they were human or dog."
At this, the students below broke into soft laughter. Fang Zheng nodded and continued.
"Next, let's discuss the timeliness of information. Of course, I'm sure you all understand that with the spread of orbment communications, information can no longer be transmitted only through letters and word of mouth. With a single phone call, people could communicate even from thousands of miles apart. But orbment telephones were ultimately point-to-point connections, whereas the network was different. It was more immediate and reached a wider audience. This was a point-to-surface method of dissemination, and that brought a problem."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng picked up a piece of chalk and wrote "Information Bombardment" on the blackboard.
"In the past, our main channels for obtaining information were the media, newspapers, and magazines. News in print media was certainly slower to spread, but they investigated the entire incident and provided evidence and conclusions. Online information, however, was transmitted in real time. That meant it was more one-sided, but also faster. For example..."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng casually pointed at two students.
"Suppose Student A and Student B had an argument over something, then came to blows. Someone recorded it and posted it online. Naturally, everyone would wonder why the two were fighting. If it were print media, they would not jump to conclusions so easily. But the network was different. As I said just now, the